Chapter 30 ( The End)

Thank you Bethany21Thornton for the amazing cover! :)

If you like love triangles, danger, mystery, jealousy, and twists, I recommend checking out my new book, CAGED! :) ( It is better written, I promise!)

'What is depression like?' He whispered.

'It's like drowning. but you can see everyone else around you breathing.'

Chapter 30

One of my hands attempted to cover his wound but I knew there was no hope. The gun had the drug.

Greg's skin was almost ice-cold, his veins were turning black.

Yet, he still said two more words. The last two words that would ever escape Greg's lips.

"I promise."

Everything was going far too fast. The second those words escaped his lips, he was gone.

His body was cold as ice with black veins running through his skin. The drug did its damage, the message loud and clear.

My throat clamped up and I couldn't even breathe.

"H-Hunter- You- Help-S-Save-H-H-Him," I was desperate now, refusing to accept the death of Greg.

He didn't deserve it. Such an innocent soul corrupted by the cruel world. Although, no one truly is innocent.

My only sight was of Greg's motionless body. For all I know, Hunter isn't even here right now. Despite my panicked accusation, Hunter crouched down close beside me.

I had no control over my hands as I forcefully shook Greg's body.

"Wake up, wake up!" My voice came out croaky and harsh, the back of my throat throbbing in agony.

That didn't matter now. Greg is dying. I have to save him.

I felt the grip of hands warping against mine, separating me from Greg.

"No-No. Help Greg." But Hunter did not.

Instead, he had one hand on either shoulder squeezing down.

"No! No, Greg is dying, help him, help him god damn it! Why aren't you doing anything?" I screamed at Hunter, attempting to escape his grasp.

"Greg is dying," I say once more, my vulnerable state holding on to this last strand.

"Rose," Hunter said with a calm exterior, but a grimace on his face. As if he was pained. As if he was the one dying.

"It's too late, he's already dead."

I searched Hunter's ocean blue eyes for a lie. For a betrayal of his rigid words.

I guess it wouldn't have mattered anyway. The moment Greg's last word escaped from his mouth, he was gone. Dead. Deep down, I knew this for a fact.

Yet, I refuse to accept it. To accept that there was this person on earth that I knew so much about. So many useless facts, like Greg's favorite color is green, his favorite number is 18, and that he hates sushi.

But none of this matters anymore. Because he's dead. Greg is dead.

Breathing became difficult, my emotions getting the better of me.

Hunter tries to catch my attention but gives up when I even look his way. My eyes begin scanning the room, past all the blood was another limp body.

Emily.

Hunter must have noticed where I was looking because he immediately stood in my way.

"I killed her, it's over. We won. " Hunter's words didn't reassure me at all. This wasn't a win, this wasn't a victory.

This was a loss.

* * *

I wish I could say I blanked out after that, but that would be a lie. I wish that I could just forget the last 24 hours, in denial at its best.

My forehead rested against the cool window as blurs of trees pass my vision. I couldn't speak, and Hunter didn't even bother.

Seconds after Hunter stated that we had won, crowds of armed men barged in. After clearing the territory, Hunter decided I need rest.

He threw out demands about what to do, and where to take the bodies.

There's going to be a funeral tomorrow. In memory of Greg, and the other few who lost their life at the battle.

At first I thought Hunter was going to drop me off at my house, although dread filled me at that thought.

I know that my family is safe, thank god, but I can't take the confrontation.

The 'are you okay?', 'How are you feeling?', 'Do you want to talk about it?', 'let's talk about it!

And that's something my mother would never understand. No, I don't want to talk about it.

I can accept the passing of someone without mentioning their name aloud because I'll mention it a million times inside my head.

My mind will slowly take me on the journey of agony as every memory of them flash through my mind.

Analyzing what they were wearing, what we were doing, and what I should have done differently.

This is how I grieve. It's how I behaved when I lost my father, and how I'm planning to get through Greg.

Even if I can't get through it, I have to.

Hunter's voice startled me out of my thoughts.

"You need some rest, sleep for now and I'll be back later with some food. The um- the funeral will be at 2 pm. We'll go together."

Hunter was out of the car in seconds and had the door wide open for me to hop out.

Hunter closed the passenger door and made his way to the driver's seat. Just before he could shut the door, I stop him.

"Wait!" Hunter looks shocked that I did, but nevertheless, he stops.

"I-I don't want to go tomorrow."

"Go where? To the funeral?" Hunter's already on his way back to me.

"I- Yeah. I- I can't go tomorrow." I can't bear to see his expression so I fix my gaze upon the cement floor.

"Rose, you're tired. You've been through a lot. If you don't go you will regret it forever. You need closure."

"No, I'll regret it if I go."

"You'll regret it if you don't," Hunter was very close to me now, his tall structure staring down at me.

"I- I just can't. The last thing I want is to be closed in a room filled with people who will just remind me of him."

Peeking a look up at him, I notice his features harden.

"You're not the only one who lost someone, Rose. Because of today, there are two families without a father and a female out there who will never find her mate because he's dead. You're the Luna of this pack, you need to start acting like one," Hunter's tone wasn't harsh, but strict. Genuine, even, like he meant each word that he said.

Somehow I found this worse.

"People die, it's life. We start dying the second we are born so just accept it. There's a whole pack put there who is grieving. They're counting on you to protect them. "

"I never asked to be Luna," I remark too quick to think better. My arms were now crossed, my eyes not wavering from his.

"I never asked to be Alpha. "

His lips trembled. Not in an emotional way, but in a dangerous way. As though he's holding himself back.

I was stunned by his confession. Didn't all male werewolves inspire to be in charge? In complete power?

"I'm leaving at two o'clock whether you're coming or not." I wanted to reply by stating that if he left at two, he'd be late. I bite my tongue instead.

Hunter drives away, off to save his pack.

Walking in, the first thing I do is take a seat. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Emily's dead.

I can't believe it was her. All this time when people were dying, people from the strongest pack, and we didn't know who.

They had us fooled.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

The war is over, but for how long? This is the Dark Moon Pack. They're known for their wars.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Hunter was right. I'm the Luna now, I need to be strong like one. I need to accept fate. I need to fight with my pack- no- I need to fight for them.

Although my mind was spurting out motivational verses, my body ached too much to get up.

One more day. One more day of being just weak Rose. Tomorrow will be different. I'll be the Luna.

My eyelids are getting heavier by the second, begging to just shut. To fall into a pit of darkness.

Closing my eyes, I summit. I like the darkness anyways.

* * *

The screams of horror echoed all around the room, along with a few others. My grip subconsciously tightened around the arms of the couch.

I must be truly insane. I love watching horror movies, yet I'm absolutely terrified.

Clenching my teeth so I don't accidentally bite down on my tongue when a pop up comes up, I barely recognize his hand over mine.

"Scared?" He whispers teasingly.

I shake my head in reply.

"It's okay, you can close your eyes. I won't judge." Rolling my eyes, I playfully bump my shoulder against his.

I stay silent and continue to watch the movie.

"Rose," his breath tickles my ears.

"Shh," I whisper back.

"Rose, will you be my girlfriend?"

"What?" I whisper pathetically, my eyes staring widely at his.

Stupid, stupid Rose! What kind of an answer is that?

Nearly cowering away, I reply again, "I-I mean yes."

Greg's deep chuckle reaches my ears.

"I'm so lucky to have met you. You know, I know we haven't known each other for many years but I can just feel it," Greg's smile was so big I thought his cheeks would tear.

"I can feel how special we are. I'll always be here for you, even when I'm dead." His words warmed my heart.

"Promise?" I whisper, my mouth so close to his.

"I promise."

I entwine our hands and allow myself to feel the bliss that Greg's words brought.

* * *

When I woke up, I was drenched in sweat. My neck ached from the horrible position I was in from sleeping on the couch.

Standing up, I nearly stumble back down. My head was pounding.

Wonderful. So a werewolf can't get a cold but a stupid headache is inevitable.

It's bright. Too bright. The sun was shining high in the sky, blinding me from looking outside.

Walking to the kitchen, I take out a glass and fill it with water.

My heartbeat was erratic, the dream of my memory still laced in my mind.

Of all the things I could dream of, It had to be that memory.

I didn't realize how thirsty I was until I gulp down the whole glass of water in less than 5 seconds.

The sudden sound of the door slamming makes me yelp from my stance. It sounded like it came from upstairs.

Opening some of the drawers in the kitchen, I find what I'm looking for. I take deep breaths trying to calm my nerves.

It's probably just Hunter.

If only I wasn't such a deep sleeper, I could have heard him when he first entered.

Gripping the knife at a close distance, I walk up the stairs on my tiptoes.

"Rose?"

Jumping at the startling voice, the knife dropped to the stairs. Nearly missing my foot, it tumbles down a few steps.

"W-hats wrong with you!" I say in frustration.

"Me? What's wrong with you. A knife, really?" Hunter walks down past me until he's right above the knife. Picking it up, he looks it over.

"Self defense," I merely say.

The sound of a door slamming sounds once more.

"Hunter," I whisper scarily.

"Relax," he demands loudly, "I left the window open, we need some air in the house."

Hunter makes his way to the kitchen, myself following close behind him.

"Are you crazy! Hunter, someone can come through the window!"

"And who's going to come through the window?" Hunter raises an eyebrow as if to mock me.

"Oh how about a serial killer? An enemy, or anyone for that matter!"

"Rose, you're safe now. The enemies dead. Check and mate."

"What?"

"Sorry, chess reference. You wouldn't understand."

Astounded, I say, " are you seriously joking about this? People died, Hunter."

"Rose," Hunter started in an irritated tone, "People are dying every second of the day. If we allowed ourselves to be affected by it then we would just end up killing ourselves."

"This is different," I said in a broken voice. My throat ached, my eyes watering.

"Why, because it was Greg?" Hunter spat out harshly, knowing the exact answer to that question.

"People die, Rose, get over it." Hunter bumped past my shoulder and out the door.

I was flabbergasted.

Running out to Hunter, I see him already in his car.

"Where are you going?" His window was up but I knew he could still hear me.

I watch as he sighs, not looking up at me or speaking out. He gets out of the car and for a second I fear that he's going to come and yell at me.

Instead, he walks to the passenger side and opens the door.

"It's two."

It took me a few seconds to register what he meant by his two words.

"I-I can't go." I pathetically stamper out.

"Why?" Unprepared for his second question, my mind blanked from words.

Why? I don't know. But I couldn't say that.

"I... I don't want to."

"You're being a coward," he said coldly.

I couldn't grasp why Hunter was suddenly acting so mean.

Then I remembered. I promised myself that today would be different. I can't cower away from my problems.

For once, I understand why Hunter acts the way he does. Why he pushes people past their limits. If he doesn't do it then who will?

Everyone needs a little push or they'll never accomplish anything in life.

"You're right. I'll come." Even though my clothes were all wrinkled and my hair wasn't neat like it always was, I walked past Hunter and into the open car with my head held high.

Hunter started humming two minutes into the drive.

3...2..1...

And now it's been a full minute of his humming. It was an odd sight for Hunter, but I just sat quietly in my seat while staring at the clock.

When Hunter had said it was '2', he really meant it was 2 o'clock on the dot. We're already late.

"I need to pick something up from our Beta."

"We're going to be late, I mean we're already late. Can't you get it later? Or tell Jaxon to drop it off."

"I can't," he simply replied.

"Hunter, don't you think the pack's going to think it's disrespectful of us to show up late, never mind super late!"

"It's fine."

I feel like I'm having a conversation with a child, actually, I feel like I myself am the child. Like all my ideas are stupid and wrong because I'm the 'child'.

"What are you picking up?" I attempt to change the subject.

"A piece of paper."

No one ever wins with Hunter.

"What's on the piece of paper?" I push.

"Words."

"Oh for the love of God, Hunter, what do those words say?"

Hunter took a moment to study my expression before looking back out to the road.

"It's a sheet with all of the diseased information. Things such as their address, bank accounts, wills, passwords, family members, marital status, etcetera."

"What! Why would someone give you all their information?"

"It's just a simple sheet that they must fill in and all pack members must do it."

I'm quick to disagree, "I don't remember doing such a thing."

"That's because you didn't do it; your mother did. A lot of times for younger wolves, if possible, their parent just fill it out for them."

"So much for privacy," I mutter under my breath.

* * *

Hunter made me sit in his car all alone for 40 minutes in boredom before he returned from Jaxon's house.

"What on earth took you so long?" I say angrily. We've already missed the ceremony for all the wolves who passed.

"I got distracted,"

"By what, a fucking purple panda?"

"Watch your language," he growls out.

"Ohh right, my bad. I forgot I was speaking to a child right now." Sarcasm drenched harshly on my words.

"Maybe not a purple panda, but equally as interesting."

Hunter tosses a folder of papers onto my lap.

I pick it up and look through it.

Not getting what these papers mean, I look up at Hunter for an answer.

"I saw these with Greg's file."

"What do they say?" I look through a couple of pages, but my eyes get blurry from all the words.

A few unknown words pop out.

"It's a theory."

"A theory of what?" I ask.

"A theory of the second mate."

Shocked, I stare at Hunter with my mouth hanging open.

"You mean like what's going on with us?"

"It's completely about us, Rose. It explains why we each have another mate. There's something else too."

"What?" I hate the fact the Hunter won't just speak out, all his unnecessary pauses are driving me crazy.

"There will always be a second mate." Waiting for Hunter to continue, I groan in frustration when he doesn't.

"Hunter, just say it all. I'm not in the mood for all this, please. Just tell me what it means, what's going on?"

"Greg was your second mate and he died, as of now, you'll have another second mate. You don't know who it is and there's a chance you never will. You have a second mate because if I die, you need to be able to keep on the blood-line. When you're true mate died, and that would be me, your second mate becomes your mate. Are you following?"

"Slowly but yes. So Greg was my second mate and when he died, another werewolf took that position?" I try subbing it all down in my head.

"Exactly, and it goes both ways. Emily died, so my second mate is somewhere on this earth." I didn't like that thought.

"Alright, but why us? Why do we have this option? We're not royalty, they all died off a long time ago. Plus, we already established that we're not from the blood-line, so why?" I just want answers, I'm sick of having all these unanswered questions.

"From what I read, the theory was that because the blood-line of the royals were brutally ended, there was a myth that in five centuries there would be two mates with the gene of the Royals."

"That's impossible. How could that just happen?" I shuffle through the papers again but my head wouldn't focus. This new information was giving me a buzz.

"It's an ancient werewolf myth, but it stated that if ever the Royal bloodline ended in time a new one would proclaim. The point was for all packs to come together under the rule of the Royals. It's supposed to be a good thing though, not like all those anarchy leaders that Humans have. The Royals were always pure at heart."

Biting my lip from laughing, I remind myself how inappropriate laughing would be.

"What's so funny?" Not wanting to answer honestly but knowing that he would know if I tried lying, I tell him the truth.

"It's stupid but if all this is right, which it may not be, you said Royals were pure at heart. Have you met you? Hunter, you kill people as a sport- that is in no way pure- other than pure evil. I just find it ironic."

"I haven't killed for sport in a long time," He states proudly.

Shaking my head disapprovingly, I grumble out, "You're a horrible werewolf."

He only shrugs in reply.

"So, how do we know how true all this is?" I question him.

"First thing we need to do is go through all those papers. Greg's house was piled with them. It seems that he knew all along and was still doing his research. We'll go through each paper, look for the source, then work backward to find the roots."

"Makes sense," I agree with his plan.

"W-what if it's all true?" I ask, not really knowing what I expected him to say.

"Then we'll live happily ever after."

I smile knowingly, "It won't be that easy."

He smiles back.

"No, it won't. However, it's our lives so no matter what happens we'll get through it. We're mates."

"Mates with second mates," I correct.

"Look Rose, I know we've been through a lot and deep down you might hate me but the truth is we really are mates. You can try hating me but you'll always still love me. Being apart will only lead us to suffer. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, will you marry me?"

Taken aback, I just stare at Hunter dumbfoundedly.

"Why- Why would we get married right now?"

"Because being mates isn't enough for you so let's get married. That way we'll be together forever." And now Hunter was speaking like he's crazy.

"You think the best reason to get married is so we won't be able to leave each other?"

Hunter thought about it for a second before replying.

"Well, no, the best reason to get married is pregnancy. But that's more of a human thing anyways. Mates don't usually get married but I just thought it was something you wanted."

My mouth went dry as I thought of what to say.

"It is what I want but not now, Hunter. There's already so much packed on, I can't take on a wedding," I say lightheartedly.

"So you're going to reject me?" I didn't understand why Hunter was asking these questions. He sounded almost insecure. And that's something I had never ever expected from him.

"What you said was true, Hunter. We're mate and you can't just run away from your mate. Plus, you're the one who said that I can't reject you even if I wanted to."

"You can't, but when you chose Greg over me that was just as good as a rejection." Hunter's words felt like a punch in the gut and the worst part was that it was true.

I can't lie anymore, he needs to know the truth.

"I'm not very proud of all my past options, but I really did love him." Hunter stared out the window refusing to meet my gaze.

"And I know it's wrong but deep down I- I love you too." Hunter whipped his head to my direction so fast I thought he cracked his neck.

"So I guess what I'm trying to say is, let's start over. Forget the past, forget all our mistakes, just start fresh. Let's be mates."

Hunter didn't speak at first. His eyes searched mine with so much vehemence that I forced myself to look away.

I was always horrible with eye contact.

When the car was left with nothing but silence, I looked back at him to see him closer to me than he was before.

Much closer.

"Do you really mean that?"

"I do."

As soon as those words left my mouth, Hunter kissed me.

Taken off guard, I moved back in my seat but that didn't stop Hunter.

He kissed me with so much passion and intensity that when we finally parted, I was breathless.

"Can we- I mean- Can we just take it slow?" Hunter's face dropped and he quickly moves back in his seat. As far away as he could.

"I mean just for now! It's just that I'm slightly new to relationships and all these things and I was always so awkward and still am and I guess I never got over it. I probably don't even make any sense right now. Oh god, I'm such a horrible person. I-"

Hunter's deep voice cut me off, "you're babbling."

"Oh...sorry." Looking down, I felt the embarrassment dawn on me.

"We can take it slow for now. If that's what you want."

I nod, "just for now."

"Good. Now that this is all sorted, there's somewhere we need to go."

Hunter began driving down the road towards the cemetery.

"Where are we going?" I ask skeptically.

"We're going to say goodbye."

"But the ceremony's over," I state.

"So?"

When we reach the cemetery, we're surrounded by silence. We were the only ones there, alive, that is.

"Go all the way down, then turn right. It's the third one from the tree." Giving Hunter a confused look, he just urges me to move.

Doubtfully, I follow his directions. When I reach the end of the rows, I notice Hunter still standing where he was before.

1...2...3. The third one from the tree.

In memory of Greg Vanderveen.

Gone from our home but not from our hearts.

My shoes stopped an inch away from the fresh soil placed on top of the grave. I thought I was done with all the tears yesterday, I was wrong.

A single tear slid down my cheek and fell to the soil. I couldn't help but just stare at it.

How humbling to see that in the end, it doesn't matter how much money you have or how famous you are. In the end, you are just another body in the ground.

Beside Greg's stone were three other new ones.

I felt bad for missing the whole ceremony but deep down I felt relief.

I always felt more comfortable saying my own goodbyes.

"Hey, Greg. You can't even hear me right now making this utterly useless... but I guess this isn't for you. This is my goodbye. So here goes.

Greg, I- I miss you already. You taught me so many things about life; you changed my life. You taught me that's it's alright to be myself. You taught me how insignificant people's thoughts are, live for yourself and no one else. But most of all... You taught me how to forgive. You forgave me so many times for all my stupid lies and mistakes and I just- thank you, Greg.

I'm so very thankful to have met you, I'm even thankful for how we met. Feels like years ago."

My mind wandered to the very first memory I had of Greg. Waking up feeling all fuzzy in a strangers car. It's just so crazy how two strangers can just one day go from knowing nothing to knowing every single thing about the other person.

Well, I guess not everything.

The sky turned a beautiful purplish-pink.

I continue my goodbye "Our love may have not been eternal but at least it was true. I hope you've found your peace."

I take a step back, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. It gets dark fast, in a minute the colors in the sky change.

Breathing deeply, I say my final words before walking back to Hunter.

I hesitate at first, taking a moment to just memories the scene in front of me.

"Goodbye Gregory, till we meet again."

Regretting the fact that I came empty-handed, I walk slowly back to Hunter.

So this is why he took so long. Earlier, he could have brought the papers to the car but instead, he sat inside. He knew I needed this. I needed to say goodbye all by myself. Without the extra whispers and stares.

Hunter stood, his back leaning on the front of his car. His arms were crossed making his biceps stand out.

There was no emotion on his face, not until his eyes met mine from our far distance. He couldn't hear a thing I had said and that must have been why he stayed back.

Hunter really has changed.

He smiles brightly at me.

Studying him from afar, I couldn't help but smile back.

This was our life now. There was no doubt that the new facts about the Royals and second mate will change our lives, but I have a good feeling about this.

Hunter and I will finally be like all those cliche mates and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And to think, I thought I was mated to my doom.

THE END!

------------------------

I just wanted to say thank you to every single person who has read, voted, and just dedicated themselves as a fan for Mated to my Doom. It's been an amazing journey.

I once had a dream and that dream was to inspire people with my writing as I have been by others. Because of everyone reading this it came true.

So thank you, thank you for allowing my dream to come true. Thank you for giving my book a chance and sticking through it all.

Thank You.

P.S. If I were to publish this book, would you buy it? ( After redrafting and editing of course!)

-Sajada Saqib

<3

30/06/15